WEEK 5
Colossians 3:1-7 Imagine that you’ve won a trip to some exotic destination but haven’t taken it. That’s when a friend says, “If you won the trip, then go!” This is similar to what Paul is saying here. If you died with Christ to this world and rose again with Him as part of a new creation, then why are you living as though that didn’t happen?! Stop trying to live as a new creation using the natural methods of this old creation (2:20-23) and start living as the citizen of heaven that you really are (3:1-3)! How? By continually seeking after the things of heaven (v.1). We are to be cultivating such an affection for the things above that our hearts are drawn there like the needle of a compass inevitably swings north. It can’t help itself! How can we do this? First of all by investing in heaven. Jesus spoke of the fact that we are to be laying up treasures in heaven because wherever our treasure is, there our heart will be as well (Matthew 6:19-21). We invest in heaven every time we spend our resources in the pursuit of eternal rather than earthly things. Secondly, Paul speaks of setting our minds on things above. The reality of heaven is to constantly shape my thinking, reasoning, evaluating, and decision-making. When it does, my material status on earth will not drive me because I know where my true riches lie. My sufferings on earth will not lead me to despair because I know that they are temporary (2 Corinthians 4:17). My unrewarded service on earth won’t discourage me because I know that God will one day reward me. My inevitable death will not fill me with dread because I know it is not the end but rather the beginning of an awesome, indescribable, eternal fellowship with the God who made and loves me! LifeStep How often do you think of heaven - seriously?! Does it impact the way you live or have you forgotten your real citizenship? Choose one specific way you will invest in eternal things going forward, using your time, talents, and treasure. You might consider reading a book about heaven. Colossians 3:8-17 What would your reaction be if, after calling 911 due to a home medical emergency, the medics showed up dressed to go surfing?! Or imagine appearing in court to find the judge wearing goggles and a parachute! Talk about ridiculous. And yet something no less absurd occurs when a born again, new creation in Christ behaves as though nothing significant changed at the moment of salvation. In these verses, Paul reminds us that our behavior is to reflect our new heavenly identity just as clothing usually reflects our earthly identity. One does not become a Christian by acting like one any more than a person becomes a police officer by simply dressing like one. However, once a person becomes a police officer, they are expected to dress like one and Christians are to do the same! We are to put off the old “clothes” that used to characterize us such as anger, malice, slander, abusive speech, and falsehood (vv.8-9). Instead (vv.12-14), we are to put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness, and above all, love which is the supreme identifier of Christ’s followers (John 13:34-35). We are also to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. The Greek word for “rule” appears only here in the New Testament and means to arbitrate or to settle a debate. Given the context, the most likely meaning is that God’s peace should characterize the way we settle any differences between ourselves and others. Even in difficult situations, I must allow the peace of God to guard my heart rather than becoming angry and upset. One of the best ways to cultivate this is to adopt an attitude of thanksgiving in all things (vv.15, 17). LifeStep Take a hard look at the way you’re “dressed” and choose one specific piece of “old clothing” you need to put off and one “new” one that you need to put on. Then ask the Lord for help in doing so today. Share this with a friend and ask them to pray for you and to hold you accountable in these areas.
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